Donald "Don" Buch

Don Buch, 90, passed away peacefully October 21, 2022 at home surrounded by his children. He is now finally united with Donna Lee (Harlan), his beloved wife of 65 years.
Services will be held at Lutheran Church of Hope, 1335 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd., Grimes, Iowa on Wednesday, November 2nd at 11:00 AM. The family will host a visitation at the Glenstone Village Clubhouse 3305 SE Glenstone Drive, Grimes, Iowa on November 1st from 5:00-7:00 PM.

Don was born at the family farm outside of Clarinda, Iowa on March 14, 1932 to Gertrude (Wagoner) and Henry Herman Buch. He was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Clarinda in 1945. He was educated in a two-room (dash between two and room) country school before attending Clarinda High School.

First and foremost, Don was devoted to his wife – his first and only love. He was a family man, spending his holidays with his family, supporting each person through their trials, and devoting time and effort to all. You could see Don at games for all his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In later years, he was very visible at games on his scooter, which he loaded on the back of his SUV and used to negotiate the fields of play. Don and Donna Lee mentored two young men, who later became part of their extended family – Keane Thummel and Jeff Nichols. Both they and their families brought great joy to Don.

Don loved farming. He chose farming over the seminary and an offer to play basketball at the university level. He participated in 4-H and FFA and showed the grand champion heifer at the Iowa State Fair. He started farming 300 acres while still in high school. Don farmed for almost 25 years, always improving and expanding his operations. He was recognized as the Outstanding Young Farmer in Southwest Iowa in 1965. Don was an inventor and created many novel pieces of equipment to make farming easier. He enjoyed the business of farming from timing grain sales to buying and selling equipment for profit.

Don was a very successful businessman. In 1973, Don became an insurance agent for Pioneer Mutual. Over the course of the next 27 years, he expanded his business, Don Buch Insurance, exponentially through reliable, dependable, trustworthy service to his customers. He ventured into selling Federal crop insurance, teaching local bankers and farmers about the benefits of the program. As he liked to joke, he took his secretary to Las Vegas year after year. (His secretary was his wife Donna Lee).

Don loved sports. Don was a multi-sport athlete, excelling at basketball in high school. He was a first team all-conference guard his senior year. He enjoyed sports all his life, both playing and refereeing. He attended games at the local high school, Iowa State, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and those of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also a very accomplished pool player, playing weekly even throughout his last years.

Don supported his community. He was a city councilman and he and Donna Lee were inducted into the Clarinda A’s (baseball) Hall of Fame. Don also ran a sport card shop, connecting with the youth of his community and in turn supporting them as a fan. In later years, he donated a large portion of his sports card collection to the Boys and Girls Club of Des Moines and Kingdom Hoops Basketball Club.

Don was a “gentle giant”, (5 foot, 16 inches, as he described himself) with baby blue eyes. His sense of humor and his storytelling were legendary. He was a person who actually lived the things he learned in life. He was capable and adaptable in overcoming the obstacles life placed before him.

Don retired in 2000 and turned his attention to his hobbies of collecting Allis Chalmers tractors, bullet pencils, and sports cards/memorabilia. He and Donna Lee enjoyed being part of their Glenstone Village community and all the activities, including coffee group, pool games and potluck dinners. Many residents said that Don and Donna changed the whole nature of the community and brought it closer together.

Don is survived by two sisters Marianne (Allen) Fann of Des Moines and Nadine (Jim) Lillie of Peoria, Illinois; his son Tom (Margaret Maloy) of Denver, Colorado, and his daughters Cindy (Andy Kail) of Booneville, and Judi (Jim Coppock) of Des Moines. He has five grandchildren Jeremy (Teresa) Buch of Louisville, Colorado; Melissa (Jason) Etten of Urbandale; Brett Kail (Jeff Sorenson) of Ames; Sara Homrig (Joe Baynes) of Grand Forks, North Dakota; Amber Kail (Michelle Schaper) of Waukee, and four step grandchildren Jeff, Tim (Janet), Kelsi, and Darren Coppock. Great grandchildren are: Joanna, Stephen, Christopher, and Emily Buch; Alexander and Brodie Jamison; Tyler Etten; and Dylan Coppock. Don was preceded in death by his parents and brother and sister-in-law Darwin and Bev Buch.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to UnityPoint at Home Hospice (https://www.unitypoint.org/desmoines/online-donation.aspx) or Lutheran Church of Hope (Grimes). (https://lutheranchurchofhope.onlinegiving.org/donate/guest_donate?#!/ ) Don greatly appreciated the care he and his wife, Donna Lee, received from both.

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